Lesser-Known Facts about Madagascar

Every 7 years, locals gather for a 'bone-changing' ceremony, featuring dance, food, and conversations with the deceased.

Lesser-Known Facts about Madagascar

Madagascar is a culturally rich island nation with abundant flora and fauna. Here, visitors can explore diverse nature, dance with lemurs, or learn about its history with tales of piracy.

People with Asian Origins

Although separated from Asia by the Mozambique Channel and distant from Africa, the Malagasy people have roots in Southeast Asia. Over 2,000 years ago, seafarers from Malaysia and India arrived here, shaping the island's culture. Today, Malagasy culture shares many similarities with Southeast Asia, with rice as a staple food and a language rooted in the region. Interestingly, locals prefer to be called Malagasy rather than African.

Dance Rituals with the Deceased

Many Malagasy believe in spiritualism, continuing the tradition of dancing with the dead or the 'return of the bones.' Death is not seen as the end, but as another form of existence. Therefore, they often unearth graves and dance with the skeletons as a form of honoring the deceased.

Gender-Neutral Traditional Attire

While most countries have traditional attire specific to genders, both men and women on this island use the same type of fabric to wear or wrap around their bodies. On special occasions, people choose different styles and colors, ranging from red, white, black, and green, to brown. This traditional attire also serves to carry babies on the back.

The 4th Largest Island in the World

With an area of over 592,000 km², this country is the fourth-largest island in the world, after Greenland, New Guinea, and Borneo. It boasts diverse terrain and habitats, from volcanoes and plateaus to rainforests and limestone cliffs.

Hundreds of Species Found Nowhere Else

Nearly 90% of the wild animal species found exclusively in this island nation. Notably, there are over 70 lemur species, 16 of which have disappeared since human arrival. Additionally, you can discover 346 reptile species, over 6,000 unique plant species, and carnivores like the Fossa. Today, alongside human activities such as deforestation, wildfires, erosion, and invasive species pose threats to the biodiversity of this island.

Abundance of Stunning Baobab Trees

When mentioning Baobab trees, tourists often think of the African continent. However, the island nation of Madagascar boasts 75% of the world's most beautiful baobab trees. This country is also home to 6 out of 9 baobab species worldwide. Some other species are found in Australia, the Arabian Peninsula, and the African continent.

To admire rows of Baobab trees, visitors can head to the Menabe region, where these trees line both sides of the avenue. These ancient giants were once part of the tropical forest, but they have gradually been cleared for agricultural land.

The 'Old Pirate Haven'

During the 17th and 18th centuries, this island nation served as a refuge for pirates due to its secluded and remote bays. They often came here to repair their ships and stock up on provisions before launching attacks in the Indian Ocean. In the 1690s, pirates thrived on the island. Today, tourists can visit pirate cemeteries when they come here.

According to Lan Huong/ Vnexpress

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References: Travel Handbook from Mytour